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Hiring builders from another country to do a job in the UK

18 replies

Seashore2018 · 14/03/2021 15:27

This might seem a really weird and unnecessarily complicated thing to do, but I'm wondering if anyone's ever hired builders from another country to come and do renovation or building work in the UK? Or has anyone been on the other side - come to the UK to do some temporary work?

I'm asking because we've always had by far the best results using builders from Poland and Eastern Europe. They did things to a really high standard, worked unbelievably hard to get the job done as quickly as possible (we were living with small children in a building site, so this was much appreciated ...). They also were always willing to work with us to find a way to do things that might have been awkward but not impossible (eg. figure out a creative way to get a waste pipe installed in a difficult corner so we could fit a cabinet into a tiny bathroom), compared to other builders who came to quote, who'd just roll their eyes and say 'nope, too difficult'. We used to live down south where there were plenty of eastern European building firms, but we had to move to Scotland and there just don't seem to be any Polish builders up here (Brexit hasn't helped, obviously).

So ... are we mad to consider this? Has anyone got it to work? Recommendations and/or practicalities to consider? We aren't trying to get it on the cheap - will pay proper rates & VAT and the rest of it - we would just like the same attention to detail and yes-we-can-work-with-you-rather-than-telling-you-it-can't-be-done approach that so far the other builders who've come to do minor jobs haven't shown at all. We'd also consider a firm of eastern European builders based in the UK who might come up to Scotland from London, but that actually seems less likely than a team of builders coming in from eastern Europe to do a project, have a change of scene, and then go home.

OP posts:
marshflamingo · 14/03/2021 15:32

As I understand it, VAT becomes pretty complicated for cross-border activity like you're proposing.

I mean for starters you're saying how you'll pay VAT, which is lovely except it's a UK tax and you're talking about using a non-UK business who might have to register with HMRC just to do the one piece of work for you.

What would they get out of this?

Vinto · 14/03/2021 15:34

I don't think there's any harm in approaching the builders you've worked with previously and saying you really rated their work/would they be interested in taking on the job.

Many trades people work away from home, if you're prepared to pay for their accommodation and expenses then they could well go for it.

fivelemons · 14/03/2021 15:41

There are thousands of Eastern European builders and contractors who already live in the UK and run businesses here. Why would you need to search overseas?

PrivateOrState · 14/03/2021 15:58

I am not sure on the ethics or legalities of hiring someone and excluding others on the basis of their nationality.

But the costs would be huge anyway, with travel and accommodation, and maybe needing a visa sponsored and paid for? And the tax situation for them would be complicated.

You will probably find local builders who will do the awkward jobs if paid enough to compensate. You would also be supporting the local economy which is surely a bonus.

Betsyboopy · 14/03/2021 16:06

Not mad, builders you can trust is important.had great experience with Eastern EU builders in London and then when we moved north horrible experience with sloppy English builders (their standards are really low, and they're in an echo chamber so no incentive to improve) . Wish I could turn back time and do what you are considering.

MrsTerryPratchett · 14/03/2021 16:09

Where would they stay? I f you have good option for that, just ask whomever you used before.

I loved my Polish plumber. He was fantastic.

Mosaic123 · 14/03/2021 16:12

We were going to do this in thst the builder who was recommend had just changed the country he lived in back to Poland. He said he would spend weekends in Poland and had somewhere to live here (London) too.

We were tempted but someone pointed out that if for any reason things went wrong it would be very difficult to sue them. It was a pretty big project so we decided to use a different company.

Lucky because this was just before March 2020. I have no doubt we would have saved a lot of money by using the Polish builder. We were too nervous.

7to25 · 14/03/2021 16:51

Plenty of Polish builders in Scotland!
Where are you?
They all seem to know each other here and bring in their friends to do other jobs.

Ellmau · 14/03/2021 22:07

Wil they have the right to work here? If not, you could face a large fine.

earsup · 14/03/2021 22:22

I have a Polish chap as a lodger...he does tiling and carpentry...amazing work and he is booked up for a year ahead....I agree with the statement about them being a bit more imaginative and providing solutions to things that uk builders cant or wont....my chap said they when he was growing up, they never had Wickes or B and Q so had to be imaginative and use what they could get in soviet times, also i use a Polish electrician as he is excellent.

didireallysaythat · 14/03/2021 23:01

If I understand the rules they would have the right to work in the UK until 31st June 2021 after which I presume it's possible but more complicated. The gov.org website has details

Seashore2018 · 15/03/2021 16:28

@7to25

Plenty of Polish builders in Scotland! Where are you? They all seem to know each other here and bring in their friends to do other jobs.
Thanks everyone, some really useful points here. Hadn't considered that if they were based abroad then it would be hard to sue them or follow up with insurance etc if something went wrong. Tbh we would be entirely happy with getting builders who are UK-based, just it seems quite hard to find them! (As opposed to London where they made up most of the firms people recommended who'd done a good job.)

@7to25 : We are in Edinburgh. If anyone has recommendations (not just of eastern European builders but any good builders), I'd love to know their details.

OP posts:
Notahelen · 15/03/2021 17:39

The one thing nobody has mentioned on here, is that if you wanted them to come here to work, they would need a work visa, you would need to go through the process of sponsoring them and proving that this work couldn't be performed by someone in the country, and only by the people you are hiring.

Kendodd · 15/03/2021 17:47

I wish I'd thought of this a couple of years ago. Builders are like gold dust round here. I had a project I wanted done a few years ago, had to practically beg even just to get a quote, was eventually quoted huge amounts (been told builders do this when they don't want the job). Project (kitchen extension) abandoned in the end because we just couldn't get anyone to do it.

121hugsneeded · 15/03/2021 17:52

So you'd expect them to be bilingual, to read and adhere to British plans and building regulations and also to be able to converse with shopkeepers /suppliers etc. Or would you pay for a translator too?

switchandswatch · 15/03/2021 23:48

We’re in Edinburgh and our builders are Polish. We’re mid way through the job so wouldn’t be comfortable recommending yet, but so far have been pretty good. If you send me a PM I let you know once they’ve finished in May if we recommend them!

Seashore2018 · 16/03/2021 09:43

@switchandswatch

We’re in Edinburgh and our builders are Polish. We’re mid way through the job so wouldn’t be comfortable recommending yet, but so far have been pretty good. If you send me a PM I let you know once they’ve finished in May if we recommend them!
Thanks @switchandswatch! That's really kind of you to offer. Will PM you.
OP posts:
CyrilTony · 31/10/2024 07:43

@@switchandswatch I am looking for a builder in Edinburgh, I know now Polish is the best of it. Can you pm me also?

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